HURON — For the 10th consecutive year, the United Way Heartland Region will facilitate the Day of Caring in Huron and the area. This year’s Day of Caring is set for Aug. 8.
“We have a total of 18 different projects this year,” said Rhonda Kludt, the executive director for UW-HR. “We always aim for the second Tuesday in August as our Day of Caring. It is a way to let people know that the United Way donation cards will be coming soon, and reminds people of the impact of the United Way in our communities.”
Those who would like to be a part of this volunteer opportunity can do so by simply calling 211, the helpline that is funded in the area by the United Way and the City of Huron. “It takes about four minutes to get registered with 211,” Kludt said. “They do such a great job for everyone.”
This year’s projects run the gamut from cleaning and prepping for the school and the community center in Wolsey and Wessington, to landscaping and painting at the Girl Scouts camp. For a complete list of projects call the United Way at 352-3537. To volunteer for a specific project, call the United Way after registering with 211.
As the project list has grown over the past few years, the Day of Caring has also spilled into some additional days, Kludt said. For instance, a group of managers and employees at Premier Bank Card wanted a project to work on together. So, through the United Way, they were able to coordinate a house painting project.
“We have to remain flexible,” Kludt said. “In reality, every day is a Day of Caring, right?”
As the program has grown, more of the United Way’s role has been matching projects with groups who are looking for volunteer opportunities. Kludt credits the Day of Caring committee, including United Way board members Erica Woodbury and Jessica Hotchkiss.
The Day of Caring has been so successful that Kludt said she has shared the bones of the project with De Smet, on creating its own Day of Caring.
“Every year is a little bit different,” Kludt said. “For instance, after doing projects at the State Fairgrounds each year, we don’t have a project there.”
This year’s largest project will take place at the Girl Scout Camp and the nearby pet cemetery, including landscaping and painting at the camp and an overall general cleanup of the cemetery space.
This year will also mark the final year - at least for awhile - of a project to paint the metal fence at Riverside Cemetery. Over the past years, volunteers have painted a portion of the fence each Day of Caring.
As the list of projects grows, the pool of volunteers needed to complete them needs to grow as well. Kludt said that thus far the response has been very good. “But if you volunteer, we will find a place and a project for you to share your time and talents.”
